Astronaut Sally Ride, who died this week at 61 of pancreatic cancer, inspired millions around the world, not only as the first American woman in space, but also as an advocate for women in the sciences. Gay rights advocates say Ride's story highlights the discrimination facing many gays and lesbians. Only 16 states prohibit discrimination because of sexual orientation and gender identity, according to the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBT civil rights organization. 'Reach for…
